Birmingham

Paralympic champion aims to inspire Birmingham's millennials

​Birmingham, 14th November, 2016 - One of Britain's Rio gold medalists has been in Birmingham, hoping his remarkable story can provide inspiration for the city's next generation of business leaders.

Para Table tennis World champion Will Bayley sponsored by JLL, visited the property expert's Church Street offices as part of its Next Gen initiative to inspire young professionals within the business community.

Ian Cornock lead director of JLL in the Midlands said learning first-hand about Will's journey; from childhood cancer victim to international sports champion provided everyone with food for thought.

“We all have days when the obstacles in our way just seem too much, so hearing about someone who overcame both a rare congenital disorder and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma before the age of 10 certainly put such mundane matters into perspective,” he said.

“When you think that Will needed multiple operations on all his limbs, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, from the age of just three months, and then had to return at the age of seven for chemotherapy, it's remarkable what he has achieved so much and in such a demanding and intense sport at global level.

“We hold Next Gen events throughout the year, and thought Will would be the perfect speaker for our latest one. He did a great Q&A and even took on some of the younger professionals at table tennis."